News

The nature of recent circumstances has prompted me to immediately update the MSA membership on the initial ASA response to an article which has been published in the August 2010 issue of Health Affairs (see attachment) touting a study which promotes the safety of the delivery of anesthesia by unsupervised nurses.

I have also included a link to the ASA websitehttp://www.asahq.org/news/asanews080510.htm where you will be able to see our response. The ASA strongly stated that the article titled "No Harm Found When Nurse Anesthetists Work Without Supervision By Physicians",is an advocacy manifesto masquerading as science and does a disservice to the public. It makes dangerous public policy recommendations on the basis of inadequate data, flawed analysis and distorted facts.

In addition, I have enclosed a copy of a Letter to the Editor from Rebecca J. Patchin, M.D., Board Member, American Medical Association which will be published in the October issue ofHealth Affairs.

In the interest of public safety, the American Society of Anesthesiologists will continue to monitor and respond to those who would distort and misuse data in an effort to further their agenda of independent nurse-administered anesthesia.

Finally, as members of the ASA and the MSA, I am asking you, once again, to make your contributions to our respective Political Action Committees (ASAPAC/MSAPAC). It is through your membership dues and your PAC contributions that we, as a professional organization, can continue to advocate on behalf of our patients and anesthesiology.